Claude for legal research, done properly.
The tested prompt, the codes that help, and the setup legal pros run. Copy, adapt, ship.
Legal research traditionally requires expensive database access and trained paralegals. Founders and small businesses need basic legal understanding but can't afford $400/hour associates.
Three reasons this actually lands.
The prompt, the codes, the fit. Each one on its own is a nice-to-have. Together, they change the workflow.
One tested prompt, copy-paste ready. Rules baked in, placeholders marked, tone locked down. No prompt-engineering trial runs, no back-and-forth.
Prefix with REASON, V=2 for compound effects. Each code is a documented technique, not a magic word.
Tuned for legal workflows. Not a generic template, and not another "you are a helpful assistant" hack.
Without the pattern vs with it.
What the day looks like when you keep winging the prompt, and what it looks like when you stop.
Generic prompt. Claude writes something that could be about anyone, in any industry, from anywhere. Sounds like a template because it is one.
The CLSkills prompt with placeholders for your context. Claude writes it like a specialist who actually knows the work. Publishable after one edit pass.
You paste, Claude answers, you rewrite, you paste again. Ten minutes of back-and-forth per output. Three hours across a batch of five.
Prompt loaded once. You feed the specifics, Claude returns the finished output. Two minutes per, twenty across five. Same tone, same structure, every time.
Middle-of-the-road copy that reads AI-flavoured. Recipients notice. Response rates stay low. You end up rewriting most of it anyway.
A plain-English overview of the legal landscape with specific statutes, practical compliance steps, and clear guidance on when you need a real lawyer. Saves hours of googling.
Copy this, replace the placeholders, ship.
Research the legal landscape for [LEGAL QUESTION]. Context: [WHY I NEED THIS — STARTING A BUSINESS, COMPLIANCE QUESTION, DISPUTE] Jurisdiction: [STATE/COUNTRY] Industry: [IF RELEVANT] Research: 1. **Applicable laws/regulations**: What statutes or regulations govern this? 2. **Key requirements**: What do I need to comply with? 3. **Common pitfalls**: What do people in my situation get wrong? 4. **Recent changes**: Any new laws or pending legislation I should know about? 5. **Practical steps**: What should I actually DO based on this? 6. **When to hire a lawyer**: At what point does this require professional legal help? Format: Plain English explanation — no legalese. Cite specific laws/sections where possible. IMPORTANT: This is for educational purposes. Flag where professional legal counsel is essential.
Replace the [BRACKETED] placeholders with your context.
Stack these prefixes for compound gains.
Prepend one or more of these to the prompt above. Each code is documented on its own page with before and after examples.
Every prompt, once.
The Cheat Sheet is every tested code, with a before and an after.
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